Ear Training Series.
Saxophonist Xose Miguelez and I put together an ear training series that uses what I like to call “passive learning”. The series includes 156 mp3s and pdfs to sing along with and train your ear focusing on the modes of
Free Jazz Education and Music
Saxophonist Xose Miguelez and I put together an ear training series that uses what I like to call “passive learning”. The series includes 156 mp3s and pdfs to sing along with and train your ear focusing on the modes of
This is a short melodic phrase that I wrote that includes use of the #9 on a major chord. I often think of this sound coming from the 6th mode of harmonic minor which works nicely over a major 7
In this short video I attempt to demonstrate how I like to practice Major Scale melodies. Often times we practice the same way we practiced when we where young, only faster. That is, instead of learning better melodic material as
Working on triads is something I do frequently as I find it good for my ears, my mind, my technique and my basic understanding of one of the fundamental structures found in both melody and harmony. Strong melodies and voicings
I finished a new book recently which is a very in depth study of the major triad. The major triad, built off the naturally occurring overtone series, is one of the most common melodic and harmonic structures found in nearly
Here I work on the same material from Daily Practice 10 but only in one key (concert A major 7 #5). Using space, focusing on posture, balance and breath will allow you to cultivate many good habits while repeating a
In this video I am practicing a Major 7 #5 chord while focusing on my posture, my balance and my breath. I’ll be descending by half step from concert Bb Major 7 #5. While doing this I’m focusing on balance
In this video I warm up using Major 7th chords in a broken arpeggio and Altered Scales in each key. I like warming up each day with something easy and slow, usually using a metronome. I try to play something
In this video I practice using a 4 note cell or “tetrad” consisting of just the 1st, the 9th, the 5th and 13th degree of the major scale. In C this would be C, D, G and A. An interesting
This is the first in a new series of video “lessons” I’ll be publishing on this blog. I’ll be sharing the things I’m working on in real time, recording some of my practice time during the day. I will verbally
Having taught hundreds of Skype lessons over the last ten years, I’ve come to believe that Skype is a great way to both teach and learn from the comfort of your own home. Although I’m teaching full time at KU
This is part 2 of a 3 part lesson series dealing with using Cycle Wheels to deconstruct any type of 7 note scale. The 3 Cycles Wheels will allow you to explore every ascending and descending interval within an octave